The fork brace is great for handling. Mine had a screaming eagle brace when I got it. I didn't like the chrome and it interfeared with a fender I liked. Took it off. Put it back on after one ride. I hear the super brace works the same. I think it looks best and its cheap.

A lot of people ask me about the seat. It is strange that you can't get one like it for the Sportster anywhere - I looked for months and finally decided to do my own. It took me quite some time do modify the stock seat pan but once the upholsterer had worked his magic it all came together nicely. It wasn't a cheap exercise though - I probably spent somewhere in the order of $300 plus many hours of my time...

I have a fork brace. Picked up a used SE for cheap awhile back.
I'm 150lbs, and it really did not change anything for me.
After I had bought and installed,
started reading it makes better use for the people much massier than I.

I have a 99, XL1200s. Bought new. I rode it the first summer and installed the HD fork brace over the winter. It tightened up the handling to a very noticable amount. I highly recommend it. About that bench seat. I get cramped up on longer rides because the distance from the pegs to the seat is too short. Also the stock seat foam would compress after about an hour and leave my ass sitting on the seat pan. Combine this with the solid mount engine vibes and it's time for a break. I had this company modify my stock seat pan. http://www.badassbikeseats.com/
I had him add about 4 1/2 inches of foam to the driver front area and told him I wanted a 70's era ujm bench seat look. What an improvement! Feels like a completely different bike. Gets me further away from the pegs and dampens alot of felt vibration through the seat. Another very worth while mod/farkel for long range riding improvement was the addition of handle bar end weights. My bars are solid mount and get quite buzzy over 70mph. I bought and installed the heaviest solid stainless steel weights they listed and am very happy with the results. They cut the felt vibration through the bars by a significant amount. http://www.manicsalamander.com/products.aspx
I think these three mods done to any Sportster are well worth the money.
I have no affiliation with the above linked vendors except to be very pleased with their products and service.

Message sent from a Molsen beer can with very tightly streched fishing line.

I have a 99, XL1200s. Bought new. I rode it the first summer and installed the HD fork brace over the winter. It tightened up the handling to a very noticable amount. I highly recommend it. About that bench seat. I get cramped up on longer rides because the distance from the pegs to the seat is too short. Also the stock seat foam would compress after about an hour and leave my ass sitting on the seat pan. Combine this with the solid mount engine vibes and it's time for a break. I had this company modify my stock seat pan. http://www.badassbikeseats.com/
I had him add about 4 1/2 inches of foam to the driver front area and told him I wanted a 70's era ujm bench seat look. What an improvement! Feels like a completely different bike. Gets me further away from the pegs and dampens alot of felt vibration through the seat. Another very worth while mod/farkel for long range riding improvement was the addition of handle bar end weights. My bars are solid mount and get quite buzzy over 70mph. I bought and installed the heaviest solid stainless steel weights they listed and am very happy with the results. They cut the felt vibration through the bars by a significant amount. http://www.manicsalamander.com/products.aspx
I think these three mods done to any Sportster are well worth the money.
I have no affiliation with the above linked vendors except to be very pleased with their products and service.

Message sent from a Molsen beer can with very tightly streched fishing line.

First of all, we need pics of that seat. Get to it!

I remember a thread on the XLForum about Manic Salamander bar end weights that turned into a shitfest. Were you the one that started that thread?

Why doesn't the motor co make a xl with a 29"- 30" seat height( for me would be ideal at 31"), real swing arm travel, and some great front forks. This low stuff is great for the market it is intended for but I am not that market.

I don't want one of the bigger bikes that they offer as I tend towards the smaller displacement size stuff. I like nimble point and squirt stuff. Can you think of a nimble fat ballerina?

Now I know that are many other brands out there that would make a better choice. Here are my secondary considerations that are very important to me: 15 min away is a great well known Harley Dealer I am not interested in driving 90 miles for parts or mail order . Service is big in my book next as is parts availability and interchangeability. A few years after the purchase I have confidence that I will be able to keep my wheels on the road. Been there/here done that. My current brand/ dealer will still service my bike and started selling lawn equipment any way i need a second bike.

Why doesn't the motor co make a xl with a 29"- 30" seat height( for me would be ideal at 31"), real swing arm travel, and some great front forks. This low stuff is great for the market it is intended for but I am not that market.

I don't want one of the bigger bikes that they offer as I tend towards the smaller displacement size stuff. I like nimble point and squirt stuff. Can you think of a nimble fat ballerina?

That's the issue is that bikes like the R don't sell well in the USA. Most HD customers either want a one of the touring bikes for the long haul stuff or they want a bike that is lowered with a particular sound and look. Guys like "us" that want a Sportster standard are a small part of their current market. Honestly though , the parts interchange so easily and are so readily available that making one of their current bikes into what you are describing is simple and inexpensive.